{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Fowler opened with 65 at Torrey Pines, but closed three days later with 74 to tie for 20th; shot a 9-under 62 in the second round in Phoenix, but was 3-under the next two days to tie for 13th; shot 68-66 on the weekend at Doral, but open 73-71 on his way to an eight-place finish – his only top 10 in 2011 during a stroke-play event; shot 78, with three 7s, on Sunday at Bay Hill; opened 70-69 at the Masters, but shot 76-74 on the weekend; and opened with 63 at Colonial, but was 3-over the next three days.

Fowler has two missed cuts and two top 25s in his past seven events, but still isn’t having a bad year, just not the kind everyone expected of him, especially himself.

After all, Fowler posted seven top 10s in 2010, including a pair of runner-ups, and erased a four-hole deficit to halve his Ryder Cup singles match with Italy’s Edoardo Molinari.

“One of my main goals this year was to work on getting my first win,” he said Thursday. “I haven’t been in contention a whole lot.

“My ballstriking has been a little bit weaker than it was last year. That’s what kind of held me back.”

Fowler has plenty of time and a busy summer ahead to find his game and live up to his tag as the next big thing in American golf.

With the most-established players in the U.S. are either injured (Tiger Woods) or struggling (Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk), Fowler could give the Tour a shot in the arm with a win.

Fowler is ready.

“I do think about it at times,” he said. “Obviously, I want to be ready for the occasion being in contention down the stretch. I’ve had a few opportunities for that and felt the nerves down the stretch.

“Just got to keep putting myself in that situation and wait for that door to open again.”

View Comments
0

There are no comments yet. Be the first to post your thoughts. Sign in or register.